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Saturday, April 30, 2011

The Birds! Fine, So It's Only One Bird.

I walked out this Morning and was greeted by Ramona again. She kept swooning over me. I yelled, Kiss my ... thats all I got out before she puckered up. I ran! She chased me down the driveway making smoochy noise the whole time

View on Black or you may be kissed by Dodo Bird named Ramona

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The Birds by Daphne Du Maurier was first published in her collection called The Apple Tree in 1952. Alfred Hithcocks movie The Birds inspired by the book came out in 1963 and The Apple Tree was reprinted as The Birds and Other Stories.

Our Daily Challenge: Book Title

No! I Won't Kiss You!

No!  I Won't Kiss You! by hbmike2000
No! I Won't Kiss You! a photo by hbmike2000 on Flickr.
She keeps making googly eyes at me.

View on black or your eyes might go googly too.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

I Am Aware

I Am Aware by hbmike2000
I Am Aware a photo by hbmike2000 on Flickr.
I am aware that bad shots may be salvaged somehow. I keep them despite not liking them. I may not know what I am going to do with it but I keep them just in case in the future I see something in them I did not see before.

I am aware that there is controversy on if an overprocessed photo is still a photo. I don't really care. It is a form of art either way. My taste in "images" is all over the map whether it be Straight Out Of Camera (SOOC) or "processed" into an artistic blob. If I like it, I like it.

I am aware this photo was shot in 2007 and forgotton about until April 28, 2011. It was shot because I live on a residential street near an intersection where drivers were aware that the speed limit was 25 mph but decided to ignore it.. People drove through it at 45 mph or more ignoring the consequences of their actions. Once a month there would be an accident where two cars collided and on some occasions they would take out 4 or 5 parked cars with them.

I am aware of miracles. A little girl riding her bike one day crossed this intersection and was hit by a car. The driver, phone in hand, driving around 40 mph, got a view of a little girl and her bike flying up over her hood and into the windshield, smashing it in. The girl survived with cuts and bruises. We got our Stop sign in two weeks.

I am aware, I may not always show it but I am aware.

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100 Words: #9 Awareness

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Pretend Like You Didn't Hear

When asked, Do these shoes look good on me? Pretend like you didn't hear.

When asked, Should I eat healthy tonight or just splurge? Pretend like you didn't hear.

When asked, Can I have the credit card? Pretend like you didn't hear.

When asked, Does this make my butt look fat? Pretend like you didn't hear (and run).

When asked, What angle makes me look best? For goodness sake never answer honestly while it's standing on your head.

Now if you will excuse me, I need to go wash my hair.

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View on Black. Hope you have shampoo if you don't.

Our Daily Challenge: Heads or Tails

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

What Was I Doing Again?

What Was I Doing Again? by hbmike2000
What Was I Doing Again? a photo by hbmike2000 on Flickr.
Usually this question is followed by "What was I thinking???"

View on black. I don't remember why, just do it

Our Daily Challenge: Confusing

#20

#20 by hbmike2000
#20 a photo by hbmike2000 on Flickr.
With my recent playing around with processing photos, I have gone back to some of my older pics that I liked but didn't like if you know what I mean. There was just something about them I didn't like.

I found this shot of a small Home Depot car I took back in 2007. I was playing around with high ISO. This was shot using ISO 1600. It was pretty grainy but I always liked the shot.

This is a single shot and I experimented with running it through an HDR program to get the overall tone. Then finished it off in Lightroom. I love how it came out.

Although I have been playing around with processing photos, still not sure how to do it to the point where I could duplicate what I did. Usually they are just happy accidents. Eventually I will get to the point where I can sit down and process the shot I have in my head in less then two or three hours. :)

View on black. I have no problems running you over if you don't. (ok, so I would just run over your big toe with this)

Monday, April 25, 2011

Sister Mary Moo And A Flock Of Seagulls Go Bowling

I over heard (yes I was eavesdropping) the Little Purple Monster asking Sister Mary if she and the Flock of Seagulls (I know they are supposed to be penguins but Sister Mary really loves the 80's band A Flock Of Seagulls and who am I to correct her) if she and the gulls ...er gals wanted to go bowling.

I don't think this is what she had in mind when she said yes.

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View on black or be bowled over

Sister Mary Moo series
LPM series

Sunday, April 24, 2011

THE BRIDE OF FRANKENORANGE!

I go to all the trouble of creating a fruity delight and she has the audicity to wear that ugly wig with those ugly earings! Not to mention, she left FRANKENORANGE laying in a puddle of mud face down as the villagers mobbed and attacked him! Said she didn't want to get her heels dirty.

View in black, it's shocking

100 Words: Audacity

The Treasure Map Fiasco

The Treasure Map Fiasco by hbmike2000
The Treasure Map Fiasco a photo by hbmike2000 on Flickr.
A couple of weeks ago I went on a treasure hunt at the 99 cents store and ironically found a treasure map sitting on a shelf. I was about 10 feet away from it when I saw a six year old eyeing my map. We both ran for it, kicking and slapping each other as we ran for the last map! He attempted to trip me but I jumped at the last second. I threw a package of toilet paper at him (what, it was ultra soft) but he ducked at the last second and I missed.

I tried the "I got your nose" bit to no avail. He pointed at my shoe and told me my laces were untied. I looked. DANG IT!

Five minutes of negotiations and $20 dollars later, I had my map. It apparently leads to spring, which seems to be eluding us, and lunch.

View in black. I seem to have no morals, I'd view if I were you. :)

Our Daily Challenge: Treasure

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Whoops

Whoops by hbmike2000
Whoops a photo by hbmike2000 on Flickr.
Todays challenge is Accumulated and I thought to myself what better way to do this then a self portrait. After all, my goal was to start doing these so I would get comfortable with it. Honestly, I am finally getting there and I am starting to accumulate some self portrait photos.

The only problem was obvious the World woke up on the wrong side of the bed and refused to cooperate! Every time I went to snap the shot, it would turn upside down.

I finally caved in and just snapped the button, fell to the ground, wiped myself off, came in, uploaded the photo, airbrushed the wrinkles out of my head and uploaded the shot. Ta da!

By the way, why are you all standing on your heads?

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View in Black or I won't put the World back to upside right

Our Daily Challenge: Accumulated

Friday, April 22, 2011

Attention Kmart Shoppers

Attention Kmart Shoppers by hbmike2000
Attention Kmart Shoppers a photo by hbmike2000 on Flickr.
I woke up this morning with the words "attention Kmart shoppers" ringing in my ears. I couldn't get the words out of my head all day long. So I grabbed my handy dandy new L E D blue light lantern and went off into the night in search of bargains! After four hours out in the cold and finding NO bargains what so ever, I gave up and went home only to find my cat snickering in the corner. I should of known something was fishy when I woke up this morning and found him sitting next to his Mr. Microphone I bought him for christmas.

View on Black. Black and blue, get it. :)

Our Daily topic: Something Fishy

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I did not tint this. It is an actual LED coleman lantern with a high power ultra bright light with a special blue light setting I bought at the Home Depot. Portions of the sale go to Autism Speaks.
So, at 12:36 am I went outside and shot this. No one saw except maybe a drunk or two and I am fine with that. They either don't remember or they think Avatar is real now.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

FRANKENORANGE

FRANKENORANGE by hbmike2000
FRANKENORANGE a photo by hbmike2000 on Flickr.
It's alive! IT'S ALIVE!!!

I set out last night under the black skies of night. My only light from the constant flash of lightning. As the wind howled, I made my way down to the fruit cemetry and gathered parts of oranges, only occasionally stopping to fix my hair.

With parts and pieces and a few bugs in hand, I ran back to my laboratory and assembled the Orange peices together. Was I shocked in the morning! No, really, I forgot to let go of some wires, I got the crud shocked out of me.

I attached my new found orange to a tree and it seems to be mending pretty good.

Would this still be considered organically grown?

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View in Black. No? Could you hold these wires for a second?

Our Daily Challenge: Mended

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Did You Hear Something (re-edit)

Sometime ago in late 2010, I tried to join a group called Our Daily Challenge. I got a wonderful denied letter from Yvonne explaining how she wanted to keep the group small and intimate. She put me on a waiting list. My respect for her and the group went through the roof. I wanted to join even more now.

Towards the end of 2010 I got another email from her stating she wanted to know if I would be interested in joining a second group she was going to start up on January 1st. I was in heaven. I had NO idea at the time how much it would change me or the way I take photos!

The people in the group are fantastic! They are funny, sweet, kind and talented. They have the heart and soul of what Flickr is about

So to Yvonne and to all the people in Our Daily Challenge Groups 1, 2 and 3, I say Thank you. Thank you so much.

Todays challenge is "I Have Never Shot One Of These. For me, I had never shot a photo I loved intentionally until this group. Prior to this group, they are what I considered happy accidents. This was the first shot I took on purpose that I really loved and it was for January 5th, The Natural Framing challenge.

I had NO editing skills in January and have slowly but surely been learning. I have re-edited this to fit the more moody and atmospheric shot I was looking for at the time.

100 Words: #6 Atmoshpere

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Sorry for the lack of new shots. We have a big event coming up on Wednesday at work. With schedule changes and my inabilty to sleep during the day, I just woke up from a 10 hour sleep after being awake for 36 hours straight. Dang if I'm not still exhauseted

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Enjoy- The Mexican Coca-Cola Flower

This is the Mexican Coca~Cola flower. This particular variety is called Enjoy. It prefers full sunlight and moderate water. The fertilizer I use is top secret and locked in a hidden fault. So well hidden and top secret, I actually forgot where I hid it. Doesn't matter anyway, I forgot the combo.

I planted them back in February and they will be ready to harvest in late June to early August. There is another variety called Refreshing but I like the Enjoy a little bit better.

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View on black for the most taste!

Our Daily Challenge: Begins with E

Saturday, April 16, 2011

The Dream of the Bees (and a Lady Bug)

I took the challenge of "Having Fun" to heart today. Cal State Fullerton had there Green Scene Plant and Garden Show this weekend and I decided to grab my camera and go have fun. So I headed out to the Arboretum.

It was 98 degrees, there were a million people and I think I parked my car in the state of Colorado.

Sweating and five super cool plants later I decided to go take some pictures. There is a big grassy area near a pond that was perfect what I wanted to do. There were also about 100 people in the area. Every one came over and kept asking questions on why I was laying on the ground making faces at the camera, one person asked if I was ok. (He thought I had heat stroke). Turned out it took about two hours to get the shot because so many people kept coming over to see the crazy man with camera laying in the grass makin faces at a camera.

With all the shots done, I headed out. I passed a row of porta potties at the exit and thought to myself, nah, I can make the half hour drive home.

TWO MILLION people all headed to the wonderful Southern California beaches at the same time made my trip an hour and fourty five minutes long. By the time I got home, I flew out of the car, busted down the front door, stepped on two cats and ran for the bathroom.

Finally able to sit down and relax I set to processing my shot. I challenged myself today with pushing the envelope on my Photoshop skills that I learned this week. I had no clue how hard this was going to be. It took me over two hours. (Secret: The bugs don't really fly) :)

So, Did I have fun? Nah, I had a BLAST! Hope you all did too!

View on Black. Don't wreck my good day! Just do it. :)

Our Daily Challenge: Having fun

Friday, April 15, 2011

A Dodo, A Chicken and A Terra Cotta Warrior Crossed The Road

I was awaken this morning by pepples being thrown at my bedroom window by this Dodo! Seems it found a treasure map and wanted to share. Finally, my luck is changing! I grabbed my compas and the Terra Cotta Warrior (for protection) and off we went in search of treasure!

I had no idea the treasure was Dinosaur ants. Now I am infested with Dinosaur ants and I'm still poor!

PS. The chicken is only there for lunch.

View in black or you home could be infested with Dinosaur ants!

Our Daily Challenge: Whimsical

Thursday, April 14, 2011

The Garlic Society Experiment

Everytime I go outside, this dang Dodo Bird keeps following me around! It calls me 10 times a day when I'm at work. It just WONT leave me alone. So I deciced to try and deter it. I started wearing this Society Garlic in my hair. It has a very strong garlic oder and I was hoping it would chase it away. I had NO idea this was like a rose for the Dodo. Now things are way worse.
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View on black or I will chuck garlic at you

Our Daily Challenge: Smell


I really don't like taking self portraits but I have been forcing myself to do them and it IS getting easier. Maybe soon I can graduate to big boy pants and start taking candid shots of strangers (as long as they are smaller than me and can't beat me up, which leaves out everyone above the age of 10) :)

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

THEM!

THEM! by hbmike2000
THEM! a photo by hbmike2000 on Flickr.
I went outside this morning, frolicking in the garden and I came across some giant ants! After screaming (in a very manly voice), I ran into the house to get the Raid bug killer! By the time I found it and got back outside, the little booger was on his laptop emailing all his buddies to run and hide!

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View on black. You don't want him emailing his buddies about you.

Our Daily Challenge: Technology

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

In The Future

In The Future by hbmike2000
In The Future a photo by hbmike2000 on Flickr.
In the future, the world will change and if we change with it, we will soar like the birds. Even if it is a Dodo bird. :)

View on black and come fly with me

Our Daily Challenge: In The Future

Monday, April 11, 2011

You Are Getting Sleepy

You Are Getting Sleepy by hbmike2000
You Are Getting Sleepy a photo by hbmike2000 on Flickr.
Your in a deep sleep now and when I snap my fingers, you will awake and leave cool and righteous comments for this lovely but creepy image.

S N A P !

Stop reading now, your supposed to be leaving a cool and righteous comment!
:)

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View on black or he'll keep staring at you

Our Daily Challenge: Exactly Three Colors

Sunday, April 10, 2011

The Escape

The Escape by hbmike2000
The Escape a photo by hbmike2000 on Flickr.
Beaking News!

We have just learned that the kingpin of the underground gang of hairy, pidgeon toed five year olds known as the Kindergarten Mafia has escaped from the Maximum Security Time-Out Corner.

We have are roving reporter, two foot midget clown, slightly chewed and dirty from being buried by a German Shephard who thought he was an ugly chew toy, on the scene. He was able to snap this photo of the kingpin pulling out a wedgie as he headed off to the candy store.

We'll have more on the story at 11. Thank you for tuning in to the channel 492 Eye Missed You News.

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View on Black or no candy for you

Kindergarten Mafia Series: 4

Our Daily Challenge: The Other Side

I have a blast processing the photos for this series. It's such a contradiction.
I over saturate the blue and under saturate the rest of the colors. Then under saturate the whole image but then bring the vibrance up.

Next I slighty bring up the exposure then bring up the dark.

Then I take the contrast and clarity and put it to maximum and add grain, followed by slightly smoothing out the picture

Last, I slightly vignette to darken the corners to draw your eye to the center of pic ... in this case to look at my butt. :)

Saturday, April 9, 2011

How Do You Work This Thing

Ninety five percent of the time, I keep my camera setting on manual. And Ninety five percent of the time I forget to set something before shooting. I stressed for an hour over the settings before finally feeling happy about them. I ran outside and snapped about 100 photos!

Imagine my surprise when I uploaded them to the computer and they all came out looking like this! I couldn't believe I had been holding the camera BACKWARDS all morning!!!

Atleast the settings were correct

PS. I was so stressed my brains leaked. :)

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View in Black or stress will make you look like this!

Our Daily Challenge: Stressed

Friday, April 8, 2011

Good Morning Sunshine

Good Morning Sunshine by hbmike2000
Good Morning Sunshine a photo by hbmike2000 on Flickr.
Woke up this morning and staggered down the stairs to make my morning cup of joe and shoot the challenge. Opened up the cupboard and pulled out the coffee can ... empty. Pulled out another coffee can, empty too. Then a third, empty. Fourth, empty! Empty empty EMPTY!

I fainted. I think the cat took the shot and uploaded it

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View on black or my cat may take an embarrasing candid photo of you too!

Our Daily Challenge: Coffee or Tea

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Frog, James Frog Goes After Goldfleckr!

Hmmm, Does the Aston Marting kinda look small to you?

Anyway, Frog, James Frog was hot on the trail of the super villian GoldFleckr!

No, really. I thought the car was much bigger when I bought it.

Sorry, back to the story. GoldFleckr, rolling down the road and getting ready to ...

Theres something wrong here, that car was NOT that small before!

View on black or GoldFleckr will come and fleck specks of Fool's Gold into your eyes.

Frog, James Frog series

Our Daily Challenge: Gold

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

A-HA!

A-HA! by hbmike2000
A-HA! a photo by hbmike2000 on Flickr.
I KNEW IT! The little crud is BACK! I thought for sure he was gone after I pushed ... er, he FELL off the box in the photo "Oops!"

I had the perfect "Nature" shot set up. Was gonna make me a million bucks! Set up the shot perfectly, snapped the button and this little hellion busted through my flower!!!

So with that, I present to you, Nature. >>sigh<<

View on black or this little gremlin will move in with you

LPM Series

Our Daily Challenge: Nature

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

How To Make A Down Feathered Pillow

We are gathered here today, to bring you this thing called ... How To Make A Down Feathered Pillow.

It's easier than you think and much cheaper then those expensive store bought pillows.

First, take a pillow case and place it on the ground in an open area outside.

Then, wait for a duck to crash down out of the sky onto it.

Walla!

View on Black for a more restfull night of sleep

Our Daily Challenge: Down

Monday, April 4, 2011

How To Blow Bubbles

How To Blow Bubbles by hbmike2000
How To Blow Bubbles a photo by hbmike2000 on Flickr.
Step 1: Insert bubble wand into bubble juice and place close to mouth.

Step 2: Inhale for maximum air

Step 3: Accidentally inhale bubble juice

Step 4: Throw wand on ground and yell "I HATE YOU!"

Step 5: Go out and BUY cool bubble blowing gadget.

Step 6: Cut finger trying to get cool bubble gadget out of the stupid plastic casing it came in.

Step 7: Poor bubble juice into container away from mouth and dip cool bubble gadget into bubble juice.

Step 8: Push button on cool bubble gadget.

Step 9: When nothing happens cause you realized you forgot to get batteries for cool bubble gadget, throw self on ground dramatically and cry "WHY? WHY ME? and roll around a few times to make sure everyone is looking.

View on black. Really, why? I'm already being overly dramatic

Our Daily Challenge: Gadget (even if it don't work cause you forgot batteries)

I'll Have My Bubbles On The Rocks Please

Refreshing AND entertaining!

Warning: Please don't drink bubbles if you have gas.

View on black for 3D effect. Glasses sold seperately

Our Daily Topic: Gadget

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Sister Mary Moo Has A Nightmare

Having her dream of Heaven interupted by the evil eye Shot who was a horrible student of hers 20 years ago, Sister Mary Moo ran as fast as she could. Being a bowling pin and having no legs to speak of, she knew it would be a matter of time before she got bowled over by the bullying eyeball. She had to think of some other way to escape his unblinking stare.

Whilst running, only slowing down once to yell back, "don't forget to burn a match when your done, sweetie pie", she had a brilliant idea. She would run from her dream of heaven into a Nightmare and fight the evil eye on his own turf!

She waited till she could see the yellow of his eye and ran straight into her nightmare! Shot the evil eye, so intent on bowling her over did not notice till it was too late. He screamed in anger, "NOOOOOOOO, Not the DARK!"

Giggling like a little Catholic school girl, Sister Mary Moo knew that Shot's pupils didn't dialate and couldn't see in the dark and she would be able to escape.

View on black or you will have nightmares of yellow eyes

Sister Mary Moo series: Part 3

100 Words: 5 Anger
Our Daily Topic: Begins with N

Night Stalk

Night Stalk by hbmike2000
Night Stalk a photo by hbmike2000 on Flickr.
While I was admiring my wrinkles in the mirror, I heard a noise outside my window. I went outside to investigate but found nothing. While outside, I realized I hadn't tried a night shot for awhile and thought I would give it a go again.

View on black to make it look nightier.

Our Daily Challenge: Begins with N

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Sister Mary Moo Can't Escape

Unable to catch Sister Mary Moo earlier in the alley, Shot invades her dream of heaven hoping to bowl her over before she wakes. Sister Mary Moo screams, "Don't forget to put the toilet seat down when your done, hun!" and runs!

View on black or I will leave the seat up.

Sister Mary Moo Series

Our Daily Topic: Miniature

Sister Mary Moo Makes A Run For It!

When Shot was a wee lad in an all girl catholic school, he got his metaphorical hand slapped with a ruler every morning by a bowling pin shaped nun named Sister Mary Moo.

Now, Shot is out for revenge and plans to bowl over the nun. Having to use the restroom, Shot decided to kill two birds with one stone and hopped on his suped up Porta Potty and chased Sister Mary Moo down the alley!

Sister Mary Moo ran, ran as fast as she could only slowing down to periodically yell back, "Don't forget to was your hands!"

View on black or you could be chased by an Eye on a suped up porta potty!

Sister Mary Moo Series

Our Daily Challenge: Miniature

Friday, April 1, 2011

UFO

UFO by hbmike2000
UFO a photo by hbmike2000 on Flickr.
This UFO flew right out of the sky and landed next to me and I was able to get this nice, clear, detailed shot of it using my Vignette camera app. I was able to set it on Holga style and snap this shot before it flew off again.
Our Daily Topic: Metallic

Flying Saucer

Flying Saucer by hbmike2000
Flying Saucer a photo by hbmike2000 on Flickr.
What an awsome coincidence! The challenge was Metallic and this old, cool looking UFO just HAPPEND to land right next to me long enough for me to snap my shot. How awsome is that.
Our Daily Challenge: Metallic
View on black. We all know what aliens do to ya if ya don't.